Indian sports broadcaster Nimbus Communications has tied up with Japan-based digital distributor The New Media Group KK for live cricket transmissions in Japan, Taiwan and Korea. [via Varietyasiaonline.com] TNMG will distribute Nimbus’ Neo Sports and Neo Sports Plus feeds on its World On-Demand IPTV platform, offering both packaged and a la carte deals.
The deal will ensure that viewers across Japan, Taiwan and Korea get access to the entire bouquet of international and domestic cricket played here in India, agencyfaqs adds. The channel expects to reach not just Indian audiences living in that part of the world, but also natives who are quickly catching up with the game that is most popular in the Indian subcontinent. “Cricket fans from all major cricket playing countries – Aussies, Kiwi, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis, Brits, and of course Indians – should have an opportunity to enjoy Neo,” said Shashi Kalathil, CEO, Neo Sports.
While I understand Neo Sports aim to reach audiences from cricket loving nations in these countries, I have my doubts about them catching the attention of the Japanese, Koreans and Taiwanese who are likely to be far more attracted to European and American sports than cricket.